World Vision Zambia reposted this
On this year International Day of the Girl, themed "Girls' Vision for the Future", we reflect on the unique challenges faced by girls in Southern Africa, particularly in the context of the ongoing El Niño crisis. This year's theme conveys both the need for urgent action and persistent hope, driven by the power of girls' voices and vision for the future. Last week I was in Democratic Republic of Congo. I met 12 year old Melody in Kinshasa where she launched the ENOUGH Campaign to fight child hunger and malnutrition along with the Minister for Gender. But then I met Melody again a few days later in her rural village about 260km from the capital. Her story, is full of inspiration. She is among thousands of child parliamentarians across the country, who are working with WV and other partners to bring hope in the lives of vulnerable girls. Child parliamentarians like Melody do not only live in large cities, they live in villages that are only now accessing water, communities that are struggling with food availability. We know that the El Niño phenomenon is exacerbated existing inequalities, impacting access to education, health services, and safety for girls in vulnerable communities. In response, World Vision in collaboration with donors, governments and implementing partners, are committed to ensuring that girls not only survive but thrive even in the face of adversity. World Vision is actively responding in communities most impacted by the El Niño by promoting and delivering: 1. Education: Ensuring that girls can continue their education through innovative remote learning tools, even when physical classrooms are inaccessible. 2. Food Distribution: Our staff are working with communities to distribute food and cash in affected communities, to ensure that girls have the resources they need to stay healthy during these challenging times. 3. Protection: We are in the communities working with girls to offer safe spaces for girls to seek refuge from violence and exploitation, while empowering them with skills and resources for resilience. 4. Community Engagement: Working with families and communities to change the narrative about the value of girls, promoting gender equality and equipping girls with the skills to advocate for their own rights. Together, we can make a difference. Let’s harness the power of our collective voice to advocate for girls everywhere, ensuring they have the opportunities they deserve. https://lnkd.in/deRh5ygy Join us as we promote and protect girls! #DayOfTheGirl #EmpowerGirls #ElNiño #GenderEquality #BHA #USAID #UNOCHA #WFPSouthernAfrica #EU #ECHO